Oh what a crazy year so far! To catch everyone up to speed on what is happening with our move...
That last day my dad went in the hospital (two days before he passed), Matt called me and said his Command Master Chief had a talk with him and decided to cancel Matt's orders. It wasn't what we were hoping for, but the timing couldn't have said more. It took a while for the cancellation to be official, but it's done. We are no longer moving to Texas. Matt has decided to finish out his enlistment and sign into the reserves. An opportunity became available for him to separate from the military early, so he requested his end of enlistment change to August 1, 2011, rather than March 6, 2012. His request has been approved. As of today, we have 65 days until we move. We are returning to Missouri to stay with my mom until we can find a more permanent place.
Matt has already been in over 10 years, so he should have just under 10 left in the reserves to finish out his 20 years and be eligible for a pension. When we return to Missouri, he plans on working for his step-dad as an assistant to him in his Snap-On business. He will also be using his GI Bill to finish his degree in middle school social studies, so he can teach.
I am so close to finishing my English degree, but I may have to add a few more classes to the five I have left so I could also teach. We will see. Truly, I am feeling called to finish my memoir I started two and a half years ago. I've finished 20 chapters and I figure I have about six more to go. I've already submitted a sample of it to a group of publishing companies. I'm hoping I get a bite, but it's all in God's hands now, so I will continue to pray and we will see what happens. I haven't put the idea of a part-time job out of my mind, and I'll do it if necessary, but as to what kind of job, who knows.
Abby will be four in less than a month and we plan to put her in preschool again this year, since she will not be old enough to go to kindergarten until fall of 2012. She LOVED preschool this year and is looking forward to starting preschool this fall at a new school in Missouri. We still have not chosen a preschool for her though. Abby is so excited about her Toy Story birthday party here in Colorado--her last with her Colorado friends before we move.
Madison will be turning one August 25. We are planning on having a birthday party (not too big) with family back in Missouri. It will be nice to celebrate her first with family. Madison is developing beautifully. She is still small, but smart as can be. Her nine-month numbers: height 25.6" (6%), weight 13 lbs 9oz (0%), head circ.16.5" (8%). She is crawling and pulling up on everything! She's eating all types of fruits, vegetables and meats (pureed, of course).
This move will be interesting, and our future is all so unknown to us, but...we trust and pray that God will guide us and show us what He has planned for us. So little is unknown to us right now...this is a huge leap of faith for us, but one we are overjoyed to take.
